Landmines and Human Security in Post-Conflict Era: Analyzing the Narratives of Landmine Victims in Kurdistan Province, Iran

ABSTRACT

The border areas of Kurdistan Province in western Iran continue to be plagued by the presence of landmines left over from the Iran-Iraq war, causing frequent accidents and inflicting severe physical, mental, and social damage on the residents. This paper aims to explore the lived experiences of landmine explosion victims in this region. The immediate aftermath of landmine explosions in these borderlands often results in the amputation of vital organs or tragic fatalities. Survivors of these incidents endure various forms of social and psychological trauma due to their physical disabilities. However, the provision of necessary services to these victims is characterized by a dualistic approach, where some receive support while others are deprived of assistance in order to facilitate activities such as smuggling, kolbari¹, and illegal trafficking. This structural disparity exacerbates the challenges faced by victims, particularly those residing in border areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Borderland
• border settlers
• mine victims
• social security
• social protection
• Iranian Kurdistan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Kolbari in Kurdish lexicology refers to border work (young and old workers) in which people who are called Kolbar carry goods on their shoulders and cross the borders of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Kolbari now plays the role of a job in the western and northwestern border provinces of Iran (West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah), the job of young people and even adults who are in absolute unemployment on the outskirts of cities and villages.